Brent Dunn, Missouri State University’s vice president for advancement, has announced that he intends to retire next year. On his retirement date of July 1, 2027, he will step down as the leader of MSU’s endowment efforts for 41 years.

Career Highlights

Dunn started in 1985 as director of annual giving and worked in leadership positions for development and athletics before earning the promotion to vice president in 2007. In his role, he is also the president and CEO of the Missouri State University Foundation. He led two major fundraising campaigns: The record-setting Onward, Upward campaign that brought in $274 million, and The Campaign for SMS, which brought in more than $50 million.

Money raised has benefitted virtually every part of the campus, including scholarships, endowed professorships, headlining speakers and building projects. One of those projects includes the Clifton M. Smart University Advancement Center, set to open this fall. The 28,000-square-foot building will be the home for alumni events and services, housing the university’s foundation, alumni relations and advancement departments.

Dunn was surprised last year to learn that the foundation raised money without him to place his name on its suite of offices. Dunn will work inside those offices for barely a year, before stepping down at the end of the school year.

MSU President Richard B. Williams praised Dunn, saying, “Brent’s impact on Missouri State is impossible to overstate. He has been one of this university’s greatest champions, inspiring generosity and helping transform our campus through his unwavering commitment to our students and mission.”

Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.